Denmark

 

 

On Thursday we packed up from our 'home' for the last 10 days in Bullsbrook in Garry and Alison's shed, and headed south to Denmark. This is 400km south of Perth and should be about a four hour trip. Garry and Alison both had a job to do in Perth City first. Alison had a pair of shoes to collect from Myers. These had been flown in from Sydney for her as the Perth shop didn't have her size in the pair she wanted. The saleswoman was a very helpful person, and had arranged to met us outside Myers to save us finding a car park in downtown Perth. A phone call to her 7 minutes before we arrived saw her waiting patiently for us, shoes in hand. What a wonderful service.

 

We then started our trip south but it seemed to take us an age to get out of of the city and onto the highway. We got to Manduah about 1:30 where we stopped for lunch. This is a lovely seaside town 70km south of Perth.

 

From here we continued south and because this road was the the scenic route our cruising speed was slower than had we been on the more direct road. We finally arrived down here at 7pm, ten hours after leaving home. Alison had booked a holiday house for us to stay in. It is an amazing place, with five bedrooms, two living areas and great views out across the river inlet.

 

 

 

 

Denmark is a small town with a population of about 7000, named after an early explorer, Dr Alexandra Denmark, and not the country. As it on the southern-west coast corner of Australia it is subjected to a higher rainfall than the rest of WA so the vegetation is much greener. There are lots of beef and sheep farms. The township has good shopping and plenty to do and see.

 

 

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Exploring on our own

Monday and Tuesday saw us out and about on our own. Alison loaned us her car which was great. On Monday we went to their local shopping area (half an hour away) at Midlands first, as the car needed a couple of new front tyres. While we waited for them to be fitted we did a little bit of shopping in the mall. Next we took the freeway south down to Rockingham - a drive of over an hour. The greater area of Perth is very spread out and it can take a lot of driving to get from one place to another, even using the network highways and freeways. The mapping system on our iPad is invaluable!

 

Rockingham is a lovely area, south of Fremantle and also on the coast. There is a large industrial area as you come into the area, with some having their own wharf jutting out over 500m into the sea.

The town centre is on the water front and is landscaped to enhance it for everyone's enjoyment. There are playgrounds, shaded areas, toilets, BBQs and paved walkways. Even early in the week there were lots of people out and about enjoying the water and the facilties. We purchased ourselves some 'picnic food' and made use of the he facilities. Water sports are very popular here, particularly sailing and kite boarding. We watched lots of kite boarders enjoying the off shore breeze that is very much part and parcel of the area.

 

 

Next stop was the Penguin Island information centre. At one stage we had thought that we might head across to the island to see the penguins but decided against it when we realised it had timed it very well (the wait for the next boat was a bit long). Our Blue Mountains friends had also given us some friends to look up and they were only 5 minutes from here so we used our time to catch up with them.

We took the scenic route back home along the coastal route, which took much longer than using the Freeway but is more interesting. It took us through Fremantle and passed the areas again that we had visited with Alison. We stopped at one stage for a coffee break and to stretch our legs. Not far from home we got a text from Garry wondering if we were lost! It had taken us well over two hours to get back.

 

On Tuesday we decided that we should go into Perth City itself. The easiest way to do this is by train so we drove to Midlands, parked the car and took the train. This is a very efficient service that took us into downtown Perth in twenty minutes. It also meant we had no parking hassles and were able to enjoy the day. We aren't big shoppers but we did enjoy browsing through some if the bigger department stores like Myers and David Jones. David Jones reminded us a bit of Harrods in London, with their beautiful displays and in particular their food courts.

 

There is a large development being undertaken on the waterfront, which when finished will be a wonderful facility. In the meantime there is lots of large machinery doing its thing. The wharves are still operational and from here the tour boats and ferries leave. There are several restaurants and cafés so we sat and enjoyed a bite to eat for lunch. The 'Swan Bell' tower is also here. This was a millennium project for the city. There are beautiful bells that sound the time, but are also rung by bell ringers on special occasions.

 

 

 

Stephen was keen to have a look at the museum so while he spent an hour browsing its displays I went back into the shops. We met up again by the 'urban orchard' just opposite the train station. This project has been designed to demonstrate the principles of sustainable gardening. It is both informative and interactive, with those interested being able to be involved in planting and harvesting days. The 29 fruit trees are under planted with vegetables, herbs and plants beneficial to insects.

 

 

 

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Family times

One of the main purposes for coming to Perth was to catch up with all the family that has migrated over here, and in particular to attend one nephew's wedding. So on Saturday we were invited to lunch at the bridegroom's place so that we could meet the bride's family. If you do any entertaining at all over here you need to have plenty of outdoor covered/shaded space. Brendon certainly has a very large deck that includes a BBQ and a gas pizza oven. We had a very enjoyable afternoon that included good food and a few beers/wines.

Garry, with Tate, and Amy( bride's sister) with Alec.

Alison with Caden, and me.

Brad(nephew) with his wife Rochelle and a groomsman.

 

 

That night we were in for more family times as Nathan, brother of the bride groom, and Alicia have three small children - an 18 month old and 6 month old twins that were 3 months prem. Nathan and Alicia had Nathan's work do and as it was in Perth city they decided to give themselves a night off from the babies and book in to a hotel for the night. So the four of us (grandparents and us) stayed the night to baby sit. I must say that it was a full on night though Alison did the most of organising of feeding, changing and getting up in the night. It was lovely to be able to spend so much time with the great nephews and to get to know them. At the same time we were also pleased to be able to return them to their parents the next day.

 

 

 

Stephen with Alec and me with Tate.

 

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Celebrating a significant birthday

Thursday 11 December seems to have been coming for quite a while. The first celebration was in Punakaiki at Labour Weekend when I when shared a weekend ' house' party with my friend Shirley. Next came a meal out in Christchurch with Doug and Tracy followed by lunch in Geraldine. In the Blue Mountains we enjoyed a curry meal with friends and a High Tea (Elaine was with us that day and she too had a birthday on the 11th. A popular day as my brother Fraser and another friend Trish also share the same day.)

So how to celebrate after such a lead-in? Well we started with a champagne breakfast before heading off towards Fremantle. First we went up into the hills to Carmel to The Rose Heritage Cafe.

Rose Heritage Cafe

This cafe/garden is under new management and what was originally a nursery for the sale of roses, the cafe and visitors gardens are now undergoing expansion. It really is a delightful area even as it is, with views down onto the roses, lovely food including a rose-ade drink and the French garden, la jardine de rose.

Rose-ade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop was our accommodation in a deluxe cabin at the Woodman Point Holiday Park to check in before we headed into Fremantle CBD to the historic prison. We were booked to do the tunnels tour at 3:30pm. The prison was built in the 1850s in order to provide a large number of workers to build some of the infrastructure, mainly water, required by the new town. The prisoners tunnelled a large network under the prison to provide fresh water and the tour takes you through this labyrinth. A certain level of fitness is required as is an alcohol/ blood check before you can participate. We were also required to be fitted up in climbing/safety harness gear before setting off down a very steep set if ladders. Actually I was beginning to wonder what we had let ourselves in for. It was a very interesting trip that took just on two and a half hours. For those who are wondering if any if the prisoners ever escaped through this tunnel system the answer is no. There were no exit points other than up so prisoners had no chance of escaping from here.

 

 

 

The prison has several other tours available as well and they would also be well worth doing.

Fremantle Prison, Western Australia

 

The history: Fremantle Prison - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

 

To complete our day's celebration we enjoyed 'fish and chips' at Joe's Fish Shack on the Fishing Wharf Harbour.

 

 

 

All in all it was a day to remember made all the better by celebrating with and receiving lovely messages from friends and family.

 

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Familiarisation trip around Perth

Alison took us for a good drive on Wednesday to help us familiarise ourselves with the greater Perth area. There place is north of Perth by about 40km and is very close to the RAAF base. So our trip started here and we went out to the coast. We followed the coastal road all the way down through Joondalup and on to Hilary. Hilary is one of the ferry ports for trips out to places such as Rottnest Island, and it was here that we stopped for lunch and a spot of shopping.

 

 

On the wharf at Hilary

 

 

 

We continued on down the coast road and into Kings Park, Perth's botanical gardens. It was a beautiful afternoon and we spent a good hour or two wandering around the gardens. The tree top walk was particularly interesting and gave some great view down to the South Perth and Freemantle. The Pioneer Women's Garden had lots of plaques commemorating women and their organisations. It culminated with a large water fountain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped off at the garden's cafe for a cool drink before heading back through the rush hour traffic to Bullsbrook.

 

 

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Trip to Perth

Monday morning dawned and it was time to pack, say goodbye and catch the train down to Sydney. Rob and Helen took us to Katoomba Station (Medlow Bath is closer but has no ticket office) and we caught the 10:15am to Central Station. We then had a very tight turn around to get our next train out to the airport, drop off our bags (that took for ages) and be ready for boarding our flight to Perth at 1:30pm. We did it with only about 10 minutes to spare but the weather gods were with us and an electrical storm halts all departures for about 20 minutes. This gave us time to grab a sandwich for lunch.

 

Our flight was just under 5 hours and the time passed quite quickly. We were given a meal and drinks too which we weren't expecting which was good.

Garry and Alison were at the airport to meet us and drive us out the 40km north to their place at Bullsbrook. They have a 5 acre lifestyle block on which they have built a shome (shed come house) that they use at the moment. The intention is to eventually build a new house but at the moment it is a perfect base when they come back from the remote Community for a break. The shed is very comfortable and of course we are very good at living in such places. It even comes with its own 'skippy' or two.

Spot the kangaroos in the foreground!

 

 

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High Tea at the Hydro Majestic

When we were in the Blue Mountains last year we were watching the progress of the renovations at the Hydro Majestic Hotel. This is a magnificent old building that was built in the early 1900s as a health resort/casino/hotel. It is placed on the top of an escarpment and has the most fantastic views across the valley. It is also in Medlow Bath and within walking distance from Helen and Robert's place. The following link gives an excellent history of a very iconic Australian building.

 

Hydro Majestic Hotel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Or the new website showing the rejuvenated complex: Hydro Majestic Hotel. Home

 

Some stages of the renovation project are now complete, with the Winter Garden being one. It is in here that High Tea is served and Helen and Robert thought that it would be fun to experience and add to my up and coming birthday treats. So on Saturday afternoon we donned our 'good clothing' and went to enjoy our 'high tea'.

 

We had a wonderful time. We all ordered the Luxurious High Tea which included a glass of Pol Roger NV French Champagne. The food, served on a three-tiered silver stand consisted of petit pastries, a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with homemade jam and fresh clotted cream. All very delicious and something we will remember for many years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Curry night

On Thursday evening Helen and Rob had organised 'a curry night for 15' at their house with all the neighbours and friends we had met last year when we were here.

Helen was very well organised with everyone knowing exactly what to bring, from starters, to mains and accompaniments, to dessert. My contribution was the starters so I made samosas, pakora and crunchy papadoms with a fresh veg topping and mango sauce. We had a wonderful selection of mains and sambals and breads (accompaniments) which was then followed by Helen's polenta cake and fresh fruit

 

 

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Starters were enjoyed outside as the regular afternoon thunderstorm hadn't quite arrived. The rest of the meal was all a sitting down affair. Now that they are living in Medlow Bath they have had two households of furniture (prior to this Medlow Bath was their holiday house) and 'stuff' so they were able to accommodate 15 at two tables.

 

We all had a very enjoyable evening with lots of good food and lots of talking. We are really most appreciative of all the the planning and effort Helen and Rob put in to organising this event and the opportunity it gave us to reconnect with all the friends we are made last year.

 

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